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Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
92
Imaging
44
Features
63
Overall
51
Nikon 1 J3 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
54
Overall
43

Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 201g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
  • Launched November 2013
  • Superseded the Nikon 1 J2
  • Updated by Nikon 1 J4
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Announced August 2014
Photography Glossary

Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

The following is a detailed assessment of the Nikon 1 J3 and Pentax Q-S1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the 1 J3 (14MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the 1 J3 (1") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") have different sensor sizes.

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The 1 J3 was released 8 months before the Q-S1 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a short introduction of how the 1 J3 grades versus the Q-S1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J3 over the Pentax Q-S1

 1 J3 Q-S1 
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Nikon 1 J3

 Q-S1 1 J3 
AnnouncedAugust 2014November 2013Newer by 8 months

Common features in the Nikon 1 J3 and Pentax Q-S1

 1 J3 Q-S1 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 J3 offers external dimensions of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 201 grams (0.44 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon 1 J3 and Pentax Q-S1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the 1 J3 compared to the Q-S1.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 1 J3 and Q-S1 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by checking out technical specs. The pic underneath will give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1 J3 and Q-S1.

As you have seen, both cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The 1 J3 due to its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Nikon 1 J3 will provide greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged 1 J3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon 1 J3
Portrait photography with Pentax Q-S1
58
has manual focus
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW files
can't use external flash
46
focusing manually
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Street photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography information
70
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW files
lighter than competitors (201g)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (203g)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Sports photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography highlights
57
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
has tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (220 shots)
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking focus
slow frames per second (5.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
not so great battery power (250 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Travel photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography information
69
lighter than competitors (201g)
good MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
terrible battery (220 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
built-in flash
not so great battery power (250 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Landscape photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography factors
64
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen size is good (3")
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (220 shots)
55
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
not so great battery power (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Vlogging advice
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging advice
30
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (201 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no external microphone socket
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (203g)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
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Nikon 1 J3 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J3 and Pentax Q-S1
 Nikon 1 J3Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon 1 J3 Pentax Q-S1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2013-11-30 2014-08-04
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3072 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 135 -
Cross type focus points 41 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon 1 Pentax Q
Total lenses 13 8
Crop factor 2.7 4.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 15.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/60 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 201g (0.44 pounds) 203g (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 420 not tested
Other
Battery life 220 images 250 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20 D-LI68
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $170 $250